Edition Bobbett2. Speeches and statements by Elizabeth F. Bobbett
1940 Trim, Meeting of the Irish Farmers’ Federation
Source: Meath Chronicle, 08.06.1940
Miss Elizabeth Bobbett, General Secretary of the Farmers’ Federation, submitted a report of the meeting with the Irish Banks Standing Committee. This stated that the bankers said they had the matter of loans before them since 1932 & decided they could not do anything further; they were constantly settling individual cases and that only in very extreme cases did they sell a farm. They were unable to find a formula to deal with frozen loans in bulk. Mr. Ernest Browne gave them plenty of evidence of harsh treatment, by banks. The bankers tried to make light of the situation by stating that it was only a minority of the farmers who were in debt to them, but the Federation’s representatives told them that it was no small matter when there were 120’000 farmers involved. They also pointed out that their Executive was prepared to give them a scheme to meet the situation and they finally agreed that they would consider the matter from a written memo, and asked us to confirm in groups the frozen loans and to confine cases before a certain date, and if we could get the Government to stand behind these frozen loans the bankers would hear them. They were fairly well pleased with the interview as it left the door open for further discussion. It was the recommendation of the deputation that they should now seek an interview with Mr. Eamon de Valera and the Minister for Finance regarding the settlement of frozen loans. It was agreed that the definition of a frozen loan be sought by the Executive.
The General Secretary submitted a report of the meeting with the Federation of Irish Manufacturers held on the 19th April. This stated, inter alia: “It is not for love of us that the Federation are anxious about our welfare. It is because they see that we, farmers, are no longer able to buy back their goods. We charged them with breaking up the economic system which England operated and with failing to put an Irish economic system in its place, which they admitted. They also admitted that the economic war was a national war and should be treated on that basis. They agreed that the time was long overdue for a balanced economy and they agreed to support the united demand of the farmers that, as a first step towards the solution of the farmers’ problems we demand the immediate funding of all arrears of annuities.” Further meetings will take place.